Language Awareness of Experienced English-as-a-Second Language Teachers

• In Event: Poster Session 16
  In Poster Session: Transformative Social Justice Practices in Diverse Contexts

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the language awareness of experienced English-as-a-second-language (ESL) teachers to determine how they make sense of linguistic knowledge. Despite the presence of basic linguistics courses in teacher preparation programs, relatively little is known about how teachers actually use their knowledge of linguistic principles and what they deem to be important in their teaching practice, particularly the practice of mid-career, experienced teachers. This study asks specifically what beliefs, assumptions, and attitudes about linguistics are typically held by experienced ESL teachers. The results show that they have developed a reservoir of expert knowledge about how language works and that they make frequent applications to multiple areas of concern in their professional practice.

Author

• Beth L. Samuelson, Indiana University - Bloomington